The Republican battle steps up a gear

This is perhaps the biggest weekend yet in the race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. The candidates clashed on Thursday night in their third televised debate, and will contest the traditionally important Ames Straw Poll in Iowa today. In truth, as Alex says, neither the debate nor the straw poll will have that big an impact on the race. More significant is an event taking place more than a thousand miles from Ames, in Charleston, South Carolina. There, Texas Governor Rick Perry will announce his entry to the race. And judging by current polling and betting trends, he will start out as joint favourite.

Until now, Mitt Romney has been the frontrunner, notionally at least. He has led in almost all of the national polls, but has rarely had more than 25 per cent of support, and currently averages just 20 per cent. His favourability ratings are worse. Just 17 per cent of those Republicans familiar with Romney have a strongly favourable view of him.